How would you combat a chain of salons moving into your area - TanToday - Helping Salon Owners, One At A Time, Since 2000!

Jim Fisher · 4th December 2004, 12:54 PM

It could happen to you..

How about banning with other salon owners and change the salons to one name .. Keep the profits from your salon.. Have a set standard pricing.. If a customer comes into your salon from another salon that you have joined with.. That customer would have to buy a package from you.. no sharing of plans at other salons.

Dont want to end up like the small video and hardware stores of past.. if you know what I mean.

Thoughts , Ideas?

Natureboy · 4th December 2004, 01:02 PM

Big, bigger and biggest equipment. Make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Drew · 4th December 2004, 01:22 PM

It would seem to me that changing your name along with other salons to just one name would only benefit the weak salons.

Natureboy's answer would seem better, and combine that with increased advertising. Possibly raising some prices to fund this ad campaign. Keeping your advertised prices the same or low.

Jake · 4th December 2004, 08:57 PM

No reason why you can’t compete, spending an arm and a leg for equipment is a salon owner’s choice but a client can't tell how much money you spent on equipment. It’s more important to have different equipment than your competition. I know of several salons that are kicking the butt of salons that spent much much more on equipment. At some point it’s just a waste of funds.

You have to provide better personal service and market with the big boys. Which in reality for a single salon location does not take a whole lot of cash; you are in essence trying to own your zone (zip code) marketing heavy for about a 5-mile radius.

We charge the same price as our competition on our third level beds; we paid over 8K less per unit. Guess what many clients say our beds tan better. Remember most tanners have not been to that many salons and they don’t pick a salon for the looks of the tanning bed. I have yet had someone walk in the door and say I want a great looking bed.

The time will come when a 40-lamp bed will be entry, the time will come when VHR will be entry. But clients will always want results, and looks will be secondary always.

The biggest advantage a franchise has is organization and experience. If you are a good businessperson you can compete if you run your business right. If it’s not done professionally you will have a problem.

Ziti · 4th December 2004, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

No reason why you can’t compete, spending an arm and a leg for equipment is a salon owner’s choice but a client can't tell how much money you spent on equipment. It’s more important to have different equipment than your competition. I know of several salons that are kicking the butt of salons that spent much much more on equipment. At some point it’s just a waste of funds.

Isn't that the truth!!!

I have clients asking to purchase some of my beds thinking I paid 2-3K at the most when I really paid 10-12K! Their bottom lip hits the floor when I tell them how much beds (of quality) go for... They know our beds are better than what they or their friend may have at home, but still don't get it

imported_Stephen Underhill · 6th December 2004, 12:14 PM

A chain of salons never come to an area, maybe a salon or two that are a part of a chain. There is no need to fear any salon if your salon is structured and operated correctly. However only 10% of the salons in the US are structured and operated correctly.

The notion that one day a 40 lamp system or a VHR system will be the norm for base beds is ridicules. If you understand the concept behind your base bed you would have a clear understanding that this is your value system and you never want it to be so nice that tanners are not inclined to want to up-grade.

A salon is like a $70 bottle of lotion, the packaging sells the product and the lotion must deliver the promise that was made by the packaging. Sales are made in the lobby not in the tanning bed. The packaging of your salon, (decor, presentation, trained uniformed employees, customer service, advertising) this is what makes the sale. The equipment must deliver the promise. Equipment is the tools of our trade and the proper mix and levels of equipment are crucial to your success.

This is an incredibly lucrative industry when you are properly prepared and funded. For the 90% of the salons that are not properly prepared, you should be concerned about any salon that comes to your market that is properly structured not just chains.

It is just as easy to be a success when you have the knowledge for success.

www.smuconsulting.com

Jim Fisher · 6th December 2004, 12:43 PM

Quote:

A chain of salons never come to an area, maybe a salon or two that are a part of a chain. There is no need to fear any salon if your salon is structured and operated correctly.

Really
Rumor has it that 48 Palm Beach Tan stores will be built in Maryland over the next five years.. Not sure why they would target Maryland since its such a small state , plus I dont think that their growth the past year would allow them to open so many salons but I know that they have been looking since they have been looking at the same spots I was looking at.

imported_Stephen Underhill · 6th December 2004, 12:52 PM

A lot of bold talk, I will beleive that when I see it. Just finding 48 suitable spaces would be an incredible task in that area.

My statement of chains not coming into an area is a general rule in most areas.

imported_Stephen Underhill · 6th December 2004, 01:06 PM

A lot of bold talk, I will believe that when I see it. Just finding 48 suitable spaces would be an incredible task in that area. Balm Beach Tan has dozens of salons in the Dallas, Fort Worth market just as many other chains exist here. There are hundreds of independent salons operating here as well. The point is don't let any salon come into your area and tilt the field in their direction, tilt it in your direction or play on a level field and you will do fine.

My statement of chains not coming into an area is a general rule in most areas.

Jake · 7th December 2004, 01:24 AM

Quote:

The notion that one day a 40 lamp system or a VHR system will be the norm for base beds is ridicules.

Steve,

It would be nice if everybody played by the same rules but it's not reality. Salons are already open with 36 lamp base beds, some with 36 lamp VHR beds I have one in my area. If you would have told me in 1986 that there would even be a 50 lamp bed that clients would pay 20 bucks to tan on I would have laughed. The times they are a changing....in some areas. In some markets a three tier system using small Vhr as base works well. On the other hand a 30 bed store with 20 - 28 lamp 100 watters is perfect.
By the way I agree its not a good thing and was not happy when it happened up the street. Its more than a notion its a reality for some of us.

Quote:

Sales are made in the lobby not in the tanning bed. The packaging of your salon, (decor, presentation, trained uniformed employees, customer service, advertising) this is what makes the sale.

Truer words have never been spoken, that is the best advice a new salon owner can get. The value system is key, the basis for the value I believe is changing.

Drew · 7th December 2004, 11:56 PM

The salons that do this, large base units, will only tan people on base units and only be able to make their money with big numbers of tanners.

Palm Beach Tan may advertise that they are growing very fast, but in reality, already, they are runnning into trouble all over the US.

Remember St. Louis Tans.

Jake · 8th December 2004, 12:20 AM

Lets use this for an example...

36 lamp VHR entry no facials, Sungate (or any 50 plus lamp bed with facials) level 2, HP level 3 and sunless.

$7-$15-$30 singles and packages from there, oh you could make money all right and with plenty of upgrades.

Does anybody think that nobody upgrades to a Sungate from other VHR units, nobody upgrades to HP from VHR units? Base beds are just getting bigger because tanning beds in general are getting bigger. A salon like this would be a market breaker in many places. With the cost of small VHR units being what they are today and the fact that it cost little more to run per session it makes a lot of sense to me.

4th December 2004, 12:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jim Fisher Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,497	How would you combat a chain of salons moving into your area It could happen to you.. How about banning with other salon owners and change the salons to one name .. Keep the profits from your salon.. Have a set standard pricing.. If a customer comes into your salon from another salon that you have joined with.. That customer would have to buy a package from you.. no sharing of plans at other salons. Dont want to end up like the small video and hardware stores of past.. if you know what I mean. Thoughts , Ideas?

6th December 2004, 12:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
imported_Stephen Underhill Rookie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 29	A lot of bold talk, I will beleive that when I see it. Just finding 48 suitable spaces would be an incredible task in that area. My statement of chains not coming into an area is a general rule in most areas. __________________ In the flow of time an opportunity missed is an opportunity lost. www.smuconsulting.com

6th December 2004, 01:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
imported_Stephen Underhill Rookie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 29	A lot of bold talk, I will believe that when I see it. Just finding 48 suitable spaces would be an incredible task in that area. Balm Beach Tan has dozens of salons in the Dallas, Fort Worth market just as many other chains exist here. There are hundreds of independent salons operating here as well. The point is don't let any salon come into your area and tilt the field in their direction, tilt it in your direction or play on a level field and you will do fine. My statement of chains not coming into an area is a general rule in most areas. __________________ In the flow of time an opportunity missed is an opportunity lost. www.smuconsulting.com

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4th December 2004, 01:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Natureboy Moderator Security Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada, just north of 50 Posts: 2,906	Big, bigger and biggest equipment. Make yourself stand out from the crowd.

4th December 2004, 01:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Drew Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ca Posts: 2,890	It would seem to me that changing your name along with other salons to just one name would only benefit the weak salons. Natureboy's answer would seem better, and combine that with increased advertising. Possibly raising some prices to fund this ad campaign. Keeping your advertised prices the same or low.

4th December 2004, 08:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jake Super Star Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: south Posts: 522	No reason why you can’t compete, spending an arm and a leg for equipment is a salon owner’s choice but a client can't tell how much money you spent on equipment. It’s more important to have different equipment than your competition. I know of several salons that are kicking the butt of salons that spent much much more on equipment. At some point it’s just a waste of funds. You have to provide better personal service and market with the big boys. Which in reality for a single salon location does not take a whole lot of cash; you are in essence trying to own your zone (zip code) marketing heavy for about a 5-mile radius. We charge the same price as our competition on our third level beds; we paid over 8K less per unit. Guess what many clients say our beds tan better. Remember most tanners have not been to that many salons and they don’t pick a salon for the looks of the tanning bed. I have yet had someone walk in the door and say I want a great looking bed. The time will come when a 40-lamp bed will be entry, the time will come when VHR will be entry. But clients will always want results, and looks will be secondary always. The biggest advantage a franchise has is organization and experience. If you are a good businessperson you can compete if you run your business right. If it’s not done professionally you will have a problem.

6th December 2004, 12:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
imported_Stephen Underhill Rookie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 29	A chain of salons never come to an area, maybe a salon or two that are a part of a chain. There is no need to fear any salon if your salon is structured and operated correctly. However only 10% of the salons in the US are structured and operated correctly. The notion that one day a 40 lamp system or a VHR system will be the norm for base beds is ridicules. If you understand the concept behind your base bed you would have a clear understanding that this is your value system and you never want it to be so nice that tanners are not inclined to want to up-grade. A salon is like a $70 bottle of lotion, the packaging sells the product and the lotion must deliver the promise that was made by the packaging. Sales are made in the lobby not in the tanning bed. The packaging of your salon, (decor, presentation, trained uniformed employees, customer service, advertising) this is what makes the sale. The equipment must deliver the promise. Equipment is the tools of our trade and the proper mix and levels of equipment are crucial to your success. This is an incredibly lucrative industry when you are properly prepared and funded. For the 90% of the salons that are not properly prepared, you should be concerned about any salon that comes to your market that is properly structured not just chains. It is just as easy to be a success when you have the knowledge for success. www.smuconsulting.com

7th December 2004, 11:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
Drew Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ca Posts: 2,890	The salons that do this, large base units, will only tan people on base units and only be able to make their money with big numbers of tanners. Palm Beach Tan may advertise that they are growing very fast, but in reality, already, they are runnning into trouble all over the US. Remember St. Louis Tans.

8th December 2004, 12:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
Jake Super Star Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: south Posts: 522	Lets use this for an example... 36 lamp VHR entry no facials, Sungate (or any 50 plus lamp bed with facials) level 2, HP level 3 and sunless. $7-$15-$30 singles and packages from there, oh you could make money all right and with plenty of upgrades. Does anybody think that nobody upgrades to a Sungate from other VHR units, nobody upgrades to HP from VHR units? Base beds are just getting bigger because tanning beds in general are getting bigger. A salon like this would be a market breaker in many places. With the cost of small VHR units being what they are today and the fact that it cost little more to run per session it makes a lot of sense to me.